diff --git a/elfio/elfio_symbols.hpp b/elfio/elfio_symbols.hpp
index b893e2b..aefbdde 100644
--- a/elfio/elfio_symbols.hpp
+++ b/elfio/elfio_symbols.hpp
@@ -88,13 +88,15 @@ class symbol_section_accessor
 
         if ( 0 != get_hash_table_index() ) {
             Elf_Word nbucket = *(Elf_Word*)hash_section->get_data();
+            Elf_Word nchain  = *(Elf_Word*)( hash_section->get_data() +
+                                   sizeof( Elf_Word ) );
             Elf_Word val     = elf_hash( (const unsigned char*)name.c_str() );
 
             Elf_Word y   = *(Elf_Word*)( hash_section->get_data() +
                                ( 2 + val % nbucket ) * sizeof( Elf_Word ) );
             std::string   str;
             get_symbol( y, str, value, size, bind, type, section_index, other );
-            while ( str != name && STN_UNDEF != y ) {
+            while ( str != name && STN_UNDEF != y && y < nchain ) {
                 y = *(Elf_Word*)( hash_section->get_data() +
                         ( 2 + nbucket + y ) * sizeof( Elf_Word ) );
                 get_symbol( y, str, value, size, bind, type, section_index, other );